The court of common pleas, the only trial court created by the Ohio Constitution, is established by Article IV, Section 1, of the Constitution, and its duties are outlined in Article IV, Section 4.
There is a court of common pleas in each of Ohio's 88 counties. Specific courts of common pleas may be divided into separate divisions by the General Assembly, including general, domestic relations, juvenile and probate divisions. Common pleas judges are elected to six-year terms on a nonpartisan ballot. A person must be an attorney with at least six years of experience in the practice of law to be elected or appointed to the court.
General Division
Unlike the other divisions, judges on the General Division have what is called "general jurisdiction" to hear civil and criminal cases. Under Ohio law Municipal courts have jurisdiction to hear civil cases with a value of up to $15,000.00; Common Pleas civil jurisdiction has no upper limit. Criminal jurisdiction includes all crimes defined by statute as felonies, as well as certain other criminal offenses.
Lorain County Justice Center, 1st Floor
225 Court Street
Elyria, Ohio 44035
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm
Civil Division, Room 105 (civil case filings, appellate case filings)
PHONE: 440-329-5536
FAX: 440-328-2416
Criminal Division, Room 106 (criminal case filings, post bail bonds)
PHONE: 440-329-5538
FAX: 440-329-5404
Domestic Relations Division, Room 108 (domestic case filings)
PHONE: 440-329-5277
FAX: 440-329-5506
Records Division, Room 109 (case index, case files)
PHONE: 440-329-5511
FAX: 440-329-5400
Finance Division, Room 107 (cashier, payments on fines and costs)
PHONE: 440-329-5625
FAX: 440-329-5404
Juvenile cases handled by Domestic Relations Court,
Room 110
PHONE: 440-329-5187
FAX: 440-329-5271
For information on hours see Domestic Relations Court